Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education), MEd
No matter where you're located, you can earn your master's degree online, prepare to build a solid learning foundation for children during their most formative years, and add professional experiences to your coursework in preparation for obtaining Arizona teacher certification after graduation.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Students interested in this program should apply to the Early Childhood Education MEd or the Early Childhood Education (Teacher Certification) MEd.
Degree description
The Master of Education program in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in early childhood education prepares individuals to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of children from birth through age 8 or grade 3.
This master's degree program is appropriate for students interested in learning about early childhood education research and working with infants and children; and it can help advance the professional development of students who already have a teaching certificate and are interested in deepening their knowledge, strengthening their skills or pursuing doctoral studies.
Through online coursework and applied activities, the program equips students with specialized skills and advanced knowledge in early childhood pedagogy, community collaboration, technology, administration, policy analysis and advocacy.
Students can also choose to add in-person professional experiences to their degree program that prepare them to enter the teaching profession after graduation. Students pursuing teacher certification complete internships and full-time teaching residencies to gain experience in two levels: pre-K and grades K--3. Faculty members and highly qualified certified mentor teachers provide guidance and support along the way.
Graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification as Early Childhood, Birth--Age 8 or Grade 3 teachers. To teach in an Arizona public school, graduates must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ECD 593)
Students in this program complete an applied project within their plan of study as a culminating experience.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
- Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
- Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement, and well-being for all learners
- Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
- Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
- Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
- Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
- Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
- Apply expectations of the profession
- Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
- Examine previous understandings and assumptions and articulate the impact of the local/cultural context, personal histories, and relevant experiences on problem(s) of practice
- Engage in iterative cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational contexts and systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners.
- Analyze a relevant problem of practice in an educational context and system informed by major theories, theorists, and/or frameworks
- Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to social and global context
- Utilize research findings to improve their own practice
- Apply relevant interdisciplinary perspectives and methods to current practices as an educator
Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The letters of recommendation should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program. The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree. GRE scores are not required for admission.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Students gain skills in teaching, conducting research, using technology and analyzing policy --- all of which prepare graduates to expand or pursue educational careers working with young children and their families.
Career examples include:
- child care worker
- education administrator
- family social worker
- preschool teacher or director
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
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ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
